In Zimbabwe, new mothers are facing extortion for obtaining ‘free’ Child Health Cards essential for infants’ health tracking. The cards have become unavailable due to a purported shortage, leading to under-the-table sales by clinic staff. This troubling situation exemplifies significant flaws in the healthcare system, exacerbating existing challenges for mothers and posing threats to their children’s health documentation.
In Zimbabwe, new mothers are facing extortion as they seek ‘free’ Child Health Cards essential for tracking their infants’ health. The cards have become mysteriously unavailable at clinics since July 2024, leading to an underground market where staff sell these vital documents. This exploitative practice reveals glaring weaknesses in an already troubled healthcare system, further burdening mothers who are already dealing with a difficult environment.
At a clinic in Harare’s Mabvuku suburb, first-time mother Connie Jowa, along with others, struggles to obtain a Child Health Card for her baby. Health cards, which ideally facilitate the tracking of vaccinations and medical history, are unavailable, and clinic visits often reset records. Many mothers, needing these cards, are coerced into bribing staff members, adding to their emotional and financial strain.
Simbarashe James Tafirenyika, leader of the Zimbabwe Municipality’s Nurses and Allied Workers Union, details how clinic staff hoard the cards for personal sale, pocketing substantial sums of money. Women reportedly pay around US$5 for each card, which is an alarming sign of the healthcare system’s exploitation.
The absence of Child Health Cards forces mothers to resort to alternative means to document their infants’ health, often relying on informal notes. This disorganization compromises the medical history of numerous babies delivered at government facilities, as indicated by the statistics showing over 3,000 births per month at Harare’s clinics.
Further complicating matters, the Ministry of Health acknowledges that the distribution of Child Health Cards has been erratic, with complaints surfacing about the necessity to purchase them due to supply shortages. Officials also noted that the return of maternity fees in public hospitals after a period of free services has added to the financial burdens faced by new mothers.
Economic instability, high inflation, and a lack of resources have led to increased corruption within the healthcare system. A Transparency International Zimbabwe survey revealed that an astonishing 74% of respondents had been asked for bribes while seeking healthcare, emphasizing the deep-seated issues affecting the sector.
Community activist Prudence Hanyani argues that introducing user fees for maternal health services will further restrict access to necessary care. She advocates for the provision of free services, noting that childbirth is a vital contribution to the nation’s population.
Mothers like Valerie Shangwa are grappling with an absence of proper documentation, which complicates medical consultations regarding their children’s health. Concerns over the quality of health records are valid, with discrepancies potentially negatively affecting infant healthcare.
While Print Flow, the supplier of Child Health Cards, states it sells to authorized facilities only, unclear distribution and lack of governmental orders persist. The Ministry of Health cites inefficiencies in the supply chain and inadequate donor funding as primary reasons for the shortages, highlighting the need for an overhaul in management practices.
Faith Musinami, who gave birth recently, illustrates the distressing reality when she was informed that the clinic had cards, but only if she paid a fee. This financial pressure is having devastating effects on new mothers as they navigate an increasingly corrupt and strained healthcare system.
In conclusion, the plight of new mothers in Zimbabwe highlights systemic failures within the healthcare system, marked by extortion and corrupt practices surrounding the procurement of Child Health Cards. As mothers struggle to access these essential documents, the ongoing economic crisis further complicates their situation, underscoring the urgent need for reform in public health services and greater accountability from officials. The current circumstances call for immediate attention to restore trust and ensure equitable healthcare access for all new mothers and their infants.
Original Source: globalpressjournal.com
